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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
  • "cheques " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • wogchlee@yahoo.com.cn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co. Ltd." <wogchl@yahoo.com.cn>
Date: Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:08:32 +0200
Subject: COLLECTION AGENT NEEDED


Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
67 Elin South Road,
Huizhou City 516001,
Guangdong, China.
Dear Sir/Madam

COLLECTION AGENT WANTED

Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. is based in China. We produce and
exports steeland other products for world trade. Our company remains
one of the mostsuccessfulin the distribution of steel, recently our
profit hasincreased so much, thatwe decided to expand globally.
The reason we seek your urgent asisstance is that most of our customers
make payment in cheques and American and Europe cheque takes a
longertime to clear here in China thereby holding business down for us
and our businessassociates.It is upon this note that we seek your
assistance to stand in as ourrepresentative in your country. Note that
Details of youraccount is notneeded in this transaction, Also, as our
representative,your remuneration (Benefit) ison a percentage basis of
10% of the total amountyou receive from our
customersat any time on our behalf.

Please note that your areas of specialization or occupation is of no
relevantto resolve in assisting us and there is no financial obligation
at your end.Allwe need from you is total honesty and your committiment
to work with us.Thereare no assles as this is a work at home
opportunity.Should you have a present job,you can still be part of our
business as your service to us would not
interfer with your working hours at all.

If you are interested in this position please forward to us the
following information:
1) Your Full names:
2) Contact address:
3) Zip Code:
4) Home/office phone number:
5) Occupation:
6) Age:
7) Sex:
8) Country:

Note:You are to forward the above information to my private email
address:wogchlee@yahoo.com.cn

Yours Sincerely
Mr.Wong Chi lee
Chairman & CEO
Hangzhou Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam